Strong Message Here

88 épisodes

Doing Politics Differently (with Phil Wang and Pierre Novellie)
01/07/2026 | 38 min
This week, Phil Wang steps in for Armando, and is joined by comedian Pierre Novellie to discuss 'doing politics differently'.
Digging into the language of Burnham's speech, we examine what he means by 'place', and whether we will see an end to 'punch and judy politics'.
Elsewhere, we look at Badenoch's attack mode, America's 250th celebrations and why politicians struggle to p-p-p-pick a favourite biscuit.
Stay tuned to the end to hear from Armando, and find out what they 'Putin' the chicken over in Georgia.
Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk
Sound editing: Chris Maclean
Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.
A Swift Transition (with Matt Forde and Ria Lina)
24/06/2026 | 33 min
Armando is under the weather this week, so in true World Cup style, we have called up a super sub.
Matt Forde steps in to host, and Ria Lina joins him to discuss the big news of the week.
Is it a bit rich of the Labour Party to claim they don't want to 'exaggerate small differences'? How does Starmer sell his achievements, and is there anything we can learn about how Burnham uses language?
In the longer version, we also look back at some of Starmer's best bits, and whether Manchesterism is an ideology, or just good branding
Armando will be back next week, but in the meantime, if you have got a strong message for the show, email us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk
Sound editing: Chris Maclean
Production Coordinator: Katie Baum & Asha Osborne-Grinter
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Recorded at The Sound Company
Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.
It's All Signed (with Stewart Lee)
17/06/2026 | 31 min
Stewart Lee joins Armando to look at the detail, or lack thereof in the US and Iran deal.
What is a memorandum of understanding? Does the language of UFC apply to this deal? And are Shoreditch hipsters running Iran's social media campaign?
It's by-election day, and while broadcast rules prevent us from discussing the events in Makerfield, there's no rule to stop us discussing the broadcasting rules themselves. Outgoing Ofcom chair Michael Grade has been vocal about the state of broadcast journalism in the UK, so we take a close look at his recent language.
Elsewhere, we talk Ghibli Grandads, soiled underpants, and 'the Islington of the Mind'.
Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk
Sound editing: Chris Maclean
Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Recorded at The Sound Company
Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.
Fanning the Flames (with Hugo Rifkind)
10/06/2026 | 34 min
Hugo Rifkind joins Armando, fresh from interviewing a highland cow, to discuss the phrase 'fanning the flames'.
Can a politician ever avoid politicising an issue? How is that different from weaponising? And does journalism have a role in fanning the flames, and prolonging political arguments?
Elsewhere, Armando explains the power of the power nap, Pete Hegseth conflates D-Day with immigration, and we ask if Keir's curse is having an eminently rhyme-able name?
Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk
Sound editing: Rich Evans
Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Recorded at the Sound Company
Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.
There's Been An Under-Discussion (with Natalie Haynes)
03/06/2026 | 36 min
Natalie Haynes joins Armando to look at the differing language used when discussing the benefits and risks of the AI revolution.
Is it just 'a thing' which is beyond debate? What does non-zero actually mean? And we examine the language of Tony Blair's argument, by taking it to its logical conclusion.
In the longer version, you will also hear the ramification of shouting at Harold Pinter, Peter Thiel's unimpeachable jury, and whether we're all living in Armando's diving helmet.
Got a strong message for Armando? Email us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk
Sound editing: Chris Maclean
Production Coordinator: Giulia Mazzu
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Recorded at The Sound Company
Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

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À propos de Strong Message Here

Armando Iannucci hosts the programme that gives you a cast-iron guarantee to be laser-focused on decoding the baffling world of political language.Each week he'll be joined by a guest to crack open the political phrasebook and attempt to demystify the doublespeak. Why does everything now have to be 'turbo-charged'? What's the difference between a 'pledge' and a 'mission'? Why has my local MP been 'weaponised' and should I be worried?You'll be treated to a crash course in the dark arts of political language from people on the inside who are both baffled and beguiled by it. They'll walk you through the various verbal fiascos of the modern political lexicon so that by the end you'll be oven-ready for an appearance on Newsnight.Armando's erstwhile partner in de-baffling political lexicon, Helen Lewis, is away working in the United States in the autumn and so her seat will be kept warm by a rotating cast of co-hosts.Listen to Strong Message Here on Thursdays on Radio 4 at 9.45am, and an extended version is available on BBC Sounds.Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4.

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